Direct Answer
Shipped toCanadainspection photos of the package before shipping, with the core being four types of evidence:Quantity evidence(whether the number of items in the box matches the order),Appearance evidence(whether the outer box and the product itself are damaged),Label evidence(whether the SKU, size, color, and batch match the order),Anomaly evidence(Photograph any discrepancies in their original state and describe them in writing.) These four types of evidence should be completed before consolidation, not added after the goods leave the warehouse. Taking photos isn't a formality—it lets buyers trace "what condition the goods were in when they arrived at the warehouse" even after the parcel has left the China warehouse.
Scope of application: overseas consumers who shop on Chinese platforms such as Taobao, JD, Pinduoduo, and 1688, with parcels first arriving at a China warehouse and then being consolidated and shipped to Canada. If you are purchasing bulk goods for a business, the depth of inspection and the record-keeping methods will differ; see Warehousing and Fulfillment Services instructions.
Why you should do a separate inspection photo before shipping to Canada
International shipping involves many stages, and once a parcel leaves the warehouse, the boundaries of responsibility can easily become blurred. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has declaration and inspection requirements for imported parcels, but customs focuses on declaration compliance—it is not responsible for confirming for you that the contents match your order. Therefore, issues such as short quantities, wrong colors or sizes, and outer box damage are best documented with photos at the China warehouse stage. That way, whether you later request a replacement from the seller or communicate with the carrier, you have verifiable evidence.
Another practical reason is consolidation. Once multiple sellers' parcels are merged into a single international package, the original outer boxes are removed or replaced. If photos aren't taken before consolidation, it becomes difficult to reconstruct the original packaging condition of the goods. For details on the consolidation process, see Consolidation forwarding instructions.
Step-by-step guide to the numbering process for inspection photos
- Step 1: Check the order first, then open the box.List the SKU, color, size, and quantity from the seller's order page, one item per line, and compare them one by one against the warehouse receiving records to confirm which items are to be inspected this time.
- Step 2: Photograph all six sides of the outer box.Before opening, photograph the front, back, both sides, top, and bottom of the outer box, focusing on the shipping label and seals. If the outer box has dents, water stains, or tears, photograph the whole box first, then take close-ups of the affected areas.
- Step 3: Open the box and photograph the internal packing materials.Photograph the packing materials and how the items are arranged to prove whether the goods shifted or were crushed during transit.
- Step 4: Count the quantity item by item.Count the actual received quantity by order line, and lay out multiple items flat for photographing so each one is clearly visible. If the quantity does not match, take a comparison photo of the "expected quantity" versus the "actual quantity."
- Step 5: Photograph the product's actual appearance.Take one photo each of the front, back, and label side, focusing on easily damaged parts such as seams, zippers, connectors, and screens. For clothing, photograph the hang tag and the wash label.
- Step 6: Photograph the label alongside the order for comparison.Place the product label and the order screenshot in the same frame, or photograph them separately and note the correspondence in your records, confirming that the SKU, size, and color match.
- Step 7: Create a separate file for exceptions.If you find the wrong item, wrong color, missing pieces, or damage, keep it in its original state and take photos. Do not remove tags or try out the product, and write a text description explaining the type of issue, the affected order lines, and the desired resolution.
- Step 8: Confirm all photos are complete before consolidation.File the above photos by order number, and confirm that each order has all three types of photos—quantity, appearance, and labels—before proceeding to the consolidation and dispatch stages.
发货前核对清单
- Has the order screenshot been saved, and are the SKU, size, color, and quantity listed item by item?
- Are photos of all six sides of the outer box complete, and is the shipping label clearly legible?
- Are there photos of the packing materials inside the box and the item arrangement?
- Are multiple items photographed laid out flat, with the quantity countable?
- Are the front and back of the item itself and its fragile parts photographed?
- Are labels such as hang tags, wash care labels, and serial numbers photographed?
- Is the correspondence between labels and orders clearly stated in the records?
- Are abnormal items kept in their original condition and described separately?
- Are photos archived by order number for easy retrieval later?
- Is the consolidation instruction submitted only after photo confirmation?
Comparison of options for different inspection depths
| Inspection depth | Suitable situations | Photo focus | Recording requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic count check | Low-value, standardized goods such as daily necessities and stationery | Outer box, items laid out flat with count, label side | Order number, item count, exception notes |
| Standard inspection | Common categories such as clothing, shoes and bags, small appliances | Six sides of the outer box, front and back of the product, hang tags and wash labels, fragile areas | Record line by line per order; file anomalies separately |
| Enhanced inspection | High-value, fragile goods that require serial number verification | On the above basis, add close-ups of serial numbers, functional and appearance details, and packaging integrity | Photos correspond one-to-one with order lines; anomalies require a written note of the intended handling |
Which level of depth to choose depends on the value of the goods and your tolerance for subsequent disputes. What the warehouse can provide is supplier receipt, consolidation, basic quality inspection and photography, storage, relabeling, repacking, inventory organization, picking and packing, and arranging international transport. It does not replace the brand's quality assurance, nor does it perform professional testing of product functionality. The specific scope of what can be done is subject to Real-time quote The description provided at the time shall prevail.
Common Errors
- Consolidate first, then take supplementary photos.The original outer carton has been removed, the product's original condition cannot be restored, and the chain of evidence for any anomaly is broken.
- Only photograph the product, not the order.The photos cannot prove which order this item corresponds to, and subsequent communication lacks a clear correspondence.
- Continuing to open or try out an abnormal item.After the original condition is altered, the seller may refuse to reship or refund.
- Photos are blurry, backlit, or only show part of the item.If labels and damage details cannot be seen clearly, it is as good as having no evidence.
- Treating customs declaration as inspection.Declaration information addresses compliance issues; it does not address the quantity and quality of items inside the box.
- Ignoring clothing size and color.These two types of errors occur frequently in cross-border shopping, yet they are often difficult to prove because no photos of the hang tags were taken.
Basis of Information and Verification Methods
This article does not cite specific tax rates, delivery times, or regulatory conclusions. For matters involving Canadian import declarations, restricted goods, and border inspection requirements, please refer to the official website of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the import guides published by the Government of Canada; for carrier prohibited and restricted items rules, please refer to the actual carrier's official pages. The available services and fees for warehouse inspection photography are subject to what is confirmed at the time of real-time inquiry. If you need to register an account first before submitting inspection and consolidation instructions, you can go to Registration Page; if you have questions about the process, you can contact us via Contact Us Explain the order situation.
